Esther 2:8 — Meaning and Application

Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. {Jeconiah: also called, Jehoiachin}

And he brought up Hadassah, that {is}, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid {was} fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. {brought...: Heb. nourished} {fair...: Heb. fair of form, and good of countenance}

So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.

And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, {which were} meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best {place} of the house of the women. {such...: Heb. her portions} {preferred: Heb. changed}

Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew {it}.